JP5375812B2 - Print management system, control method and program thereof, and print management server, control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing management system which can prevent useless accounting by appropriately accumulating the number of printable sheets managed for each user, and to provide a control method thereof, a program, a printing management server, a control method thereof, and a program. <P>SOLUTION: A free printing key whereby the number of printing sheets is not accumulated is issued. The free printing key is displayed when printing is performed. The number of printing sheets of the printing is prevented from being accumulated on the basis of the free printing key selected by a user. When printing is performed by using a temporary printing key, the number of printing sheets can be subtracted by using a free printing key turned usable upon being approved to a printing job in a printing history. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print management system, a control method and a program thereof, and a print management server and a control method capable of appropriately accumulating the number of printable pages managed for each user and preventing unnecessary charges. And the program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a mechanism for managing the number of printed sheets for each user so as not to output useless printed matter in an image processing apparatus. This is a mechanism in which the number of prints that can be output in a certain period is determined for each user, and when the set number of prints is reached, the output of the user is limited. By doing in this way, the user can output only the really necessary printed material, and can prevent the output of useless printed material.

  In such management of the number of printed sheets, Patent Document 1 discloses that the identification data is printed when printing is performed with a printing apparatus on the go, carrying print data including identification data and an IC card including verification data. And whether or not the matching data match. As a result of the determination, there is disclosed a mechanism for charging an amount necessary for outputting a printed matter to a charging destination associated with collation data when they match.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a mechanism for analyzing a print job using a keyword included in the print job and accumulating the number of printed sheets for each analyzed type.

JP 2009-290541 A JP 2008-188822 A

  However, there may be inconveniences when the number of prints that can be output in a certain period is lost. For example, in order to submit a report at a university, it is desired to print a document. However, since a predetermined number of prints has been reached, printing cannot be performed and it may be difficult to submit a report.

  In order to solve such a problem, there exists a mechanism in which the number of printed sheets is not integrated depending on the time zone and the installation location of the image processing apparatus. For example, in a university, an image processing apparatus set in a classroom has a mechanism in which the number of printed sheets is not accumulated only during class hours, and the number of printed sheets is accumulated during other time periods. In this way, the number of printed sheets can be prevented from being integrated, and printing can be performed at any time.

  However, since the number of printed sheets is not integrated depending on the time zone and the place, it may be used for outputting a private printed matter. In the example of the university mentioned above, it is a mechanism for outputting printed materials related to classes, but it is problematic because the number of printed sheets is not accumulated even for private printed materials that are not related to the classes.

  Further, when the above-described mechanism does not exist, the number of printed sheets is accumulated even for a public document, which causes inconvenience. In the example of the university mentioned above, if the report requested by the university or the material ordered to be printed is added to the number of printed sheets, it will force a wasteful charge for the user. Is disadvantageous.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to flexibly manage the number of printed sheets with respect to official printed matter so that unnecessary charges are not made. The purpose is to provide a mechanism.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the print management system according to claim 1, a print management server that manages a print job and an image processing apparatus that can acquire and print the print job can communicate with each other. A print management system connected to the image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus performs free printing indicating printing using a free print key for not accumulating the number of printed sheets with respect to the number of printed sheets accumulated for each user. Or a print format accepting unit that accepts selection of whether to execute normal printing indicating printing that adds up the number of prints, and free printing is performed by the print format accepting unit. And a free print key requesting means for requesting to obtain a free print key issued to the user from the print management server, and free printing A free print key receiving means for receiving the free print key transmitted from the print management server by the transmitting means from the print management server, and a free print key received by the free print key receiving means. A free print execution unit that executes printing of a print job selected by the user using the free print key, and a free notification that notifies the print management server when the free print execution unit executes free print. A print notification unit, wherein the print management server stores the free print key and the number of prints in association with each user, and when requested by the free print key request unit, Free printing that obtains the user's free print key from the storage means and transmits it to the image processing apparatus A transmission means and a print number update means for not adding up the number of prints executed by the print execution means to the number of prints stored in the storage means when the notification is received by the free print notification means; It is characterized by providing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the number of printed sheets can be flexibly managed with respect to a public printed matter, the number of printed sheets of an official document is not accumulated, and only the private document is printed. There is an effect that the number of sheets can be accumulated.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a print management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an internal hardware configuration of an administrator terminal 101, a print management server 102, and a user terminal 104 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an internal hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 103 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of an administrator terminal 101, a print management server 102, an image processing apparatus 103, and a user terminal 104 illustrated in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the control method by the administrator terminal 101 shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the various table structure memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part 436 shown in FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an administrator screen 700. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed process sequence of a free print key issue process. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a class selection screen 900. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an assignment selection screen 1000. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a free print key issue screen 1100. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the various table structure memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part 447 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed process sequence of a free printing key reissue process. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a free print key reissue screen 1400. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a control method performed by the print management server and the image processing apparatus 103 illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a control method performed by the print management server and the image processing apparatus 103 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print job selection screen 1700. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a free print key selection screen 1800. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a temporary print key selection screen 1900. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a temporary print key confirmation screen 2000. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print history screen 2100. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the expiration date screen 2200. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an unapproved screen 2300. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a temporary print key release screen 2400.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, print management at a university will be described as an example. Specifically, a mechanism for not accumulating the number of printed sheets will be described for assignments instructed by a professor in a class at a university. In this embodiment, the user is a university student, and the administrator is the administrator of the print management system in this embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a print management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the print management system 100 includes an administrator terminal 101, a print management server 102, an image processing apparatus 103, and a user terminal 104, and various apparatuses are a LAN (Local Area Network) 105. It is connected so that communication is possible.

  The configuration of various terminals or servers connected to the network in FIG. 1 is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose. For example, the administrator terminal 101 and the user terminal 104 may be a single terminal, or the administrator terminal 101 may include the print management server 102.

  The administrator terminal 101 is a terminal operated by an administrator who manages the print management system 100. The administrator terminal 101 can issue or reissue a free print key without registering or inquiring various data, or accumulating the number of printed sheets. By issuing a free print key, the target user can print a document without accumulating the number of prints.

  The print management server 102 is a server that manages various data. Registration of various data and inquiries from the administrator terminal 101, reception of a print job from the user terminal 104, reception of a print job acquisition request from the image processing apparatus 103, and the like are performed.

  The image processing apparatus 103 acquires the print job transmitted from the user from the print management server 102 and outputs it. The number of output print jobs is counted and transmitted to the print management server 102. In this way, the number of printed sheets is counted for each user.

  The user terminal 104 is a terminal used by a user (student). The user's print job is transmitted from the user terminal 104 to the print management server 102, and the print job is accumulated.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the administrator terminal 101, the print management server 102, and the user terminal 104 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary for realizing a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each device. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

  An input controller (input C) 205 controls input from a pointing device such as a keyboard 209 or a mouse (not shown). Note that an apparatus including a touch panel includes an input C205 on a CRT display (CRT) 210, which will be described later, and various operations can be performed by touching the CRT 210. A video controller (VC) 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. The display device may be a liquid crystal display as well as a CRT.

  The memory controller (MC) 207 is connected via an adapter to a hard disk (HD), a flexible disk, or a PCMCIA card slot that stores a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a connected CF memory.

  A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible. Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs executed in the administrator terminal 101, the print management server 102, and the user terminal 104 for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211, and are loaded into the RAM 203 as needed to load the CPU 201. Is to be executed. Further, definition files and various information tables on the administrator terminal 101, the print management server 102, and the user terminal 104 used by the program according to the present invention are stored in the external memory 211, and detailed descriptions thereof are as follows. It will be described later.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The controller unit 316 is connected to a scanner unit 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, and is connected to a LAN or WAN (Wide Area Network) to thereby store image data and device information. Perform input / output.

  The CPU 301 is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 301, and is a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  The ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit 308, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  An external interface (external I / F) 318 is an USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394 (Institut of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 1394), a printer port, an RS-232C (Recommended Standard 232) A card reader 319 for reading an IC card, which is an F section and is necessary for authentication in this embodiment, is connected to the external I / F 318.

  Further, the CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  An image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F) 320 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts a data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus (Peripheral Components Interconnect bus) or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data into a bitmap image.

  A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner unit 314 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  The image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing and editing on input image data, printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 also rotates the image data, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) for multi-valued image data, and JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group) for binary image data. And so on.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. Perform the action.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and includes paper cassettes corresponding to the paper feed stages.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and displays position information when a displayed key is pressed. This is transmitted to the CPU 301 via the operation unit I / F 307. The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  With the configuration as described above, the image processing apparatus 103 transmits the image data read from the scanner unit 314 to the LAN from the network I / F 305, and print data received from the LAN via the network I / F 305. It is possible to print out more.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner unit 314 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Next, a functional configuration diagram illustrating module configurations of the administrator terminal 101, the print management server 102, the image processing apparatus 103, and the user terminal 104 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the module configurations of the various terminals or servers in FIG. 4 are merely examples, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

  The administrator terminal 101 includes a management information transmitting unit 401 and a free print key issuing unit 402. The management information transmission unit 401 is a module that transmits various data input from the administrator terminal. The free print key issuing unit 402 is a module that issues a free print key to a corresponding user (student) when an assignment for issuing a free print key is selected.

  The image processing apparatus 103 includes a print device unit 411, a print execution unit 412, a free print key input unit 413, and a free print key inquiry unit 414. The print device unit 411 is a module for controlling various functions of the image processing apparatus 103. The print execution unit 412 is a module for acquiring a print job from the print management server 102 and outputting it on paper. The free print key input unit 413 is a module that accepts input so that the number of print jobs to be output is not accumulated. The free print key inquiry unit 414 is a module that inquires and acquires a free print key that can be used from the print management server 102.

  The user terminal 104 includes a print instruction unit 421 and a print information display unit 422. The print instruction unit 421 is a module for instructing to print document data to be output. The print information display unit 422 is a module that can confirm a list of print jobs instructed to be printed.

  The print management server 102 includes a management information update unit 431, a free print key management unit 432, a print data management unit 433, a print instruction reception unit 434, a print number management unit 435, and a table storage unit 436 (storage means).

  The management information update unit 431 is a module for registering, updating, and deleting various data stored in the table storage unit 436. The free print key management unit 432 is a module that issues a free print key when a free print key issuance request is made, and transmits an obtainable free print key when an inquiry is made about an available free print key. It is. The print data management unit 433 is a module that receives and stores a print job (print data) transmitted from the user terminal 104. The print instruction reception unit 434 is a module that receives a print instruction from the image processing apparatus 103, acquires a print job stored by the print data management unit 433, and transmits the print job to the image processing apparatus 103. The print number management unit 435 is a module that manages the number of sheets printed by the image processing apparatus 103 for each user. The table storage unit 436 (storage means) includes a lesson information table 600, a student information table 610, an attendance information table 620, an assignment information table 630, a free print key table 1200, and a temporary print key table 1210 shown in FIG. Is remembered.

  The lesson information table 600 (see FIG. 6) includes a lesson number 601 and a lesson name 602. The class number 601 is a number uniquely assigned to each class. The class name 602 is data indicating the name of the class. In this embodiment, one record of the lesson information table 600 is indicated as lesson information.

  The student information table 610 (see FIG. 6) includes a student number 611, a student name 612, an e-mail address 613, the number of printed sheets 614, and a limited number of sheets 615. The student number 611 is a number uniquely assigned to each student. The student name 612 is data indicating the name of the student. The mail address 613 is data indicating the contact information of the student. The number of printed sheets 614 is data indicating the number of printed sheets in a certain period. The amount to be charged is determined based on the number of printed sheets, but the calculation method is not particularly limited. The limit number 615 is data indicating the number of sheets that can be printed in a certain period. In this embodiment, one record of the student information table 610 is indicated as student information.

  The attendance information table 620 (see FIG. 6) includes a class number 621, a student number 622, and class times 623. The class number 621 is data corresponding to the class number 601 of the class information table 600. The student number 622 is data corresponding to the student information table 610. The class number 623 is data indicating the class number in which the student attended. The number of classes 623 is increased by the number of classes held. In this embodiment, one record of the attendance information table 620 is indicated as attendance information.

  The assignment information table 630 (see FIG. 6) includes a lesson number 631, an assignment number 632, an assignment name 633, a submission deadline 634, a number 635, a lesson times 636, and a target person 637. The class number 631 is data corresponding to the class number 601 of the class information table 600. The assignment number 632 is a number uniquely assigned to each assignment. The assignment name 633 is data indicating the name of the assignment. The submission deadline 634 is data indicating the submission deadline of the subject. The number of sheets 635 is data indicating the number of printed materials to be submitted for the subject. The lesson times 636 is data indicating the times of lessons that impose the subject. The target person 637 is data indicating a target student who should be assigned the assignment. In this embodiment, one record of the assignment information table 630 is indicated as assignment information.

  The free print key table 1200 (see FIG. 12) includes a free print key 1201, a student number 1202, a usable number 1203, a usable number 1203, a temporary print key 1205, an assignment number 1206, a start date 1207, and an end date. 1208 and used 1209. The free print key 1201 is data uniquely assigned to each free print key, and prevents the students from accumulating the number of prints by allowing the student to select the free print key. In this way, useless billing can be prevented. In other words, the reason for charging is that the number of printed sheets is integrated, and unnecessary charging is prevented by not integrating the number of printed sheets. The student number 1202 is data corresponding to the student information table 610. The usable count 1203 is data indicating the number of times that the free print key can be used. The usable number 1204 is data indicating the number of usable free print keys. The temporary print key 1205 is data indicating whether or not a temporary print key is issued. By issuing the temporary print key, the free print key can be used after the professor's approval is given. For example, since the free print key may be used for purposes other than the assignment, it is desirable to check the report submitted by the professor and issue the free print key when approval is given. Therefore, it is possible to subtract the number of prints by outputting a print job using the temporary print key and using the free print key after approval is given. The assignment number 1206 is data corresponding to the assignment number 632 in the assignment information table 630. The start date 1207 is data indicating the start date on which the free print key becomes valid. The end date 1208 is data indicating the end date that is the expiration date of the free print key. Used 1209 is data indicating whether or not the free print key has been used. In this embodiment, one record of the free print key table 1200 is indicated as free print key information.

  The temporary print key table 1210 (see FIG. 12) includes a temporary print key 1211, a free print key 1212, a student number 1213, a usable number 1214, a usable number 1215, an approval 1216, an assignment 1216, an assignment number 1217, a start date 1218, and an end. It consists of a date 1219, a used 1220, and a released 1221. The temporary printing key 1211 is data uniquely assigned to each temporary printing key, and the temporary printing key can be used by selecting the temporary printing key. The free print key 1212 is data corresponding to the free print key 1201 of the free print key table 1200. The student number 1213 is data corresponding to the student number 1202 of the free print key table 1200. The usable count 1214 is data corresponding to the usable count 1203 in the free print key table 1200. The usable number 1215 is data corresponding to the usable number 1204 in the free printing key table 1200. The approval 1216 is data indicating whether or not the professor has approved the printed matter output using the temporary printing key. The assignment number 1217 is data corresponding to the assignment number 1206 of the free print key table 1200. The start date 1218 is data corresponding to the start date 1207 of the free print key table 1200. The end date 1219 is data corresponding to the end date 1208 of the free print key table 1200. Used 1220 is data corresponding to the used 1209 in the free print key table 1200. Canceled 1221 is data indicating whether or not a free print key corresponding to the temporary print key is used. In this embodiment, one record of the temporary printing key table 1210 is indicated as temporary printing key information.

  The configuration of these tables is merely an example, and other items may be included as necessary. The above is an example of the module configuration of various terminals or servers.

  Next, a series of processing procedures for data registration / inquiry, free print key issuance, and free print key reissue performed by the administrator terminal 101 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of processing procedures of data registration / inquiry, free print key issuance, and free print key reissue by the administrator terminal 101 shown in FIG. A program for executing this process is stored in the external memory 211. When an execution request for this process is received, the program is read into the ROM 202, the program is started, and the process is executed according to control by the program. become.

  In step S101, the administrator terminal 101 receives a login from the administrator. The login may be performed by accepting input of a user ID or password, or may be performed by logging in with an IC card or the like. The login method and form are not limited to this.

  In step S102, the administrator terminal 101 displays an administrator screen 700 (see FIG. 7) and accepts an input from the administrator. On the administrator screen 700, a data registration / inquiry button 701, a free print key issue button 702, a free print key reissue button 703, and an end button 704 are arranged. The configuration of the administrator screen 700 is not limited to this.

  In step S <b> 103, the administrator terminal 101 determines whether the pressing of the data registration / inquiry button 701 is detected. If the pressing of the data registration / inquiry button 701 is detected, the process proceeds to step S104. If the pressing of the data registration / inquiry button 701 cannot be detected, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S104, the administrator terminal 101 performs registration and inquiry of various data. Specifically, various data of the lesson information table 600, the student information table 610, the attendance information table 620, and the assignment information table 630 stored in the table storage unit 436 are registered. The method for registering data may be in any form entered from the screen. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the description will be made assuming that various data are input.

  In step S105, the administrator terminal 101 determines whether or not the pressing of the free print key issue button 702 is detected. If it is detected that the free print key issue button 702 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S106. If it is not detected that the free print key issue button 702 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S106, the administrator terminal 101 executes a free print key issuing process to issue a free print key. Details of the free print key issuing process are shown in FIG.

  In step S107, the administrator terminal 101 determines whether the pressing of the free print key reissue button 703 is detected. If the pressing of the free print key reissue button 703 is detected, the process proceeds to step S108. If the pressing of the free print key reissue button 703 cannot be detected, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S108, the administrator terminal 101 executes a free print key reissue process in order to reissue the free print key. Details of the free print key reissue process are shown in FIG.

  In step S109, the administrator terminal 101 determines whether or not pressing of the end button 704 is detected. If it is detected that the end button 704 has been pressed, this series of processes is terminated. If the end button 704 has not been detected, the process returns to step S103, and steps S103 to S103 are performed until the button is pressed. Step S109 is repeated.

  Next, a series of processing procedures of the free print key issuing process executed by the administrator terminal 101 and the print management server 102 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of processing procedures of the free print key issuing process by the administrator terminal 101 and the print management server 102 shown in FIG. A program for executing this process is stored in the external memory 211. When an execution request for this process is received, the program is read into the ROM 202, the program is started, and the process is executed according to control by the program. become.

  In step S <b> 201, the administrator terminal 101 transmits a free print key issue request to the print management server 102.

  In step S202, the print management server 102 receives the free print key issue request transmitted from the administrator terminal 101. In step S203, the print management server 102 stores the lesson information stored in the lesson information table 600 stored in the table storage unit 436. It transmits to the administrator terminal 101.

  In step S204, the administrator terminal 101 receives the lesson information transmitted from the print management server 102. In step S205, the administrator terminal 101 displays a lesson selection screen 900 (see FIG. 9) based on the received lesson information. Accepts input from. The class selection screen 900 is a screen for accepting selection of a class for issuing a free print key. The lesson selection screen 900 displays received lesson information, and a selection button 901 is provided for each lesson information. A cancel button 902 for canceling the issuance of a free print key is also provided. When the cancel button 902 is pressed, this series of processes is terminated, and the process returns to step S106.

  In step S <b> 206, the administrator terminal 101 transmits class information on which the selection button 901 has been pressed to the print management server 102.

  In step S207, the print management server 102 receives the lesson information transmitted from the administrator terminal 101. In step S209, the assignment information corresponding to the lesson information is acquired from the assignment information table 630 and transmitted to the administrator terminal 101. To do. Specifically, the task information in which the class number 601 included in the class information matches the class number 631 of the task information table 630 is transmitted.

  In step S208, the administrator terminal 101 receives the assignment information transmitted from the print management server. In step S209, the administrator terminal 101 displays the assignment selection screen 1000 (see FIG. 10) based on the received assignment information. Accepts input from. The assignment selection screen 1000 is a screen that accepts selection of an assignment for issuing a free print key. The assignment selection screen 1000 displays the received assignment information, and a selection button 1001 is provided for each assignment information.

  In step S <b> 211, the administrator terminal 101 temporarily stores the task information selected by the administrator in the RAM 203. The stored task information is used in step S215 described later.

  In step S212, the administrator terminal 101 displays a free print key issue screen 1100 (see FIG. 11) and accepts an input from the administrator. The free print key issue screen 1100 is a screen for performing various settings of the free print key of the selected problem. Various input items for issuing a free print key are displayed on the free print key issue screen 1100, and each input form accepts an input from the administrator. In the present embodiment, it is possible to set the number of times that the free print key can be used, the number that can be used, whether to issue a temporary print key, and the expiration date of the free print key. There may be other setting items. In that case, the number of items stored in the free print key table 1200 increases. In addition, the free print key issue screen 1100 is provided with an issue button 1101. When a press is accepted, data input in each input form is acquired and transmitted to the print management server 102.

  In step S213, the administrator terminal 101 determines whether the issue button 1101 has been pressed by the administrator. If it is determined that the issue button 1101 has been pressed by the administrator, the process proceeds to step S214. If it cannot be determined that the issue button 1101 has been pressed by the administrator, the issue button 1101 or the cancel button is pressed. stand by.

  In step S214, since the issue button 1101 has been pressed, the administrator terminal 101 acquires the data input to each input form on the free print key issue screen 1100 and the issue information stored in the RAM 203 in step S211. In step S215, these are transmitted to the print management server 102.

  In step S <b> 216, the print management server 102 receives the input content and the task information transmitted from the administrator terminal 101. In step S217, a student who issues a free print key is extracted based on the received assignment information, and student information of the student is acquired. For example, when a free print key for the assignment “about cloud” of the lesson name “English conversation A” is issued, the lesson number 636 of the assignment is “1”, indicating “first”. In addition, since the target person 637 is “all members”, a free print key is issued to all students of the class name “English Conversation A” on the subject “Class 1” of the class name “English Conversation A”. It turns out that. Here, referring to the class number 621 of the attendance information table 620, the student number 622 of the student who has taken the “English conversation A” is extracted, and the student information indicated by the student number 622 is acquired from the student information table 610. It will be. In the case of this embodiment, student information of “Taro Yamada” and “Hanako Tanaka” is acquired.

  In step S218, the print management server 102 updates the free print key table 1200 from the received input content, assignment information, and acquired student information (free print key issuing means). Specifically, a new record is created in the free print key table 1200, and the free print keys 1201 are assigned with unique numbers for the number of people. The student number 1202 stores the student number 611 of the acquired student information, and the assignment number 1206 stores the assignment number 632 of the received assignment information. “Unused” is stored in the used 1209, and the received input content is stored in the other items.

  In step S219, the print management server 102 determines whether a temporary print key issuance request has been received. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether “issue” is stored in the temporary print key 1205 of the free print key table 1200. If it is determined that a temporary print key issuance request has been made, the process proceeds to step S220. If it is not possible to determine that a temporary print key issuance request has been made, the free print key issuance process is terminated.

  In step S220, the print management server 102 updates the temporary print key table 1210 based on the stored contents of the free print key table 1200 (temporary print key issuance determination unit). Specifically, a new record is created in the temporary printing key table 1210, and a unique number is assigned to the temporary printing key 1211 for the free printing key for which the temporary printing key is issued. Nothing is stored in the approval 1216, and “unreleased” is stored in the released 1221. The other items store corresponding items in the free print key table 1200. When the update is completed, the free print key issuing process is terminated. In this way, a free print key and a temporary print key can be issued.

  Next, a series of processing procedures of the free print key reissue process executed by the administrator terminal 101 and the print management server 102 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of processing procedures of the free print key reissue process by the administrator terminal 101 and the print management server 102 shown in FIG. A program for executing this process is stored in the external memory 211. When an execution request for this process is received, the program is read into the ROM 202, the program is started, and the process is executed according to control by the program. become.

  The free print key reissue process is a process for issuing a free print key again to a student who has used the free print key issued by the free print key issue process. For example, this is effective when a student wants to submit a report once submitted for the convenience of a professor.

  In step S <b> 301, the administrator terminal 101 transmits a free print key reissue request to the print management server 102.

  In step S302, the print management server 102 receives the free print key reissue request transmitted from the administrator terminal 101. In step S303, the lesson information stored in the lesson information table 600 stored in the table storage unit 436. Is transmitted to the administrator terminal 101.

  The processes of steps S204 to S210 of the free print key reissue process shown in FIG. 13 are the same as the processes of steps S204 to S210 of the free print key issue process shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 304, the administrator terminal 101 acquires the task information selected in step S <b> 210 and transmits it to the print management server 102.

  In step S305, the print management server 102 receives the assignment information transmitted from the administrator terminal 101. In step S306, the print management server 102 acquires free print key information corresponding to the received assignment information from the free print key table 1200. Specifically, the task number 1206 that matches the task number 632 included in the task information is acquired from the free print key table 1200.

  In step S <b> 307, the print management server 102 transmits the acquired free print key information and student information of a student who is a target of the free print key information to the administrator terminal 101.

  In step S308, the administrator terminal 101 receives the free print key information and student information transmitted from the print management server 102. In step S309, the administrator terminal 101 receives a free print key reissue screen 1400 (FIG. 14) based on the received data. Display) and accept input from the administrator. The free print key reissue screen 1400 displays a check box 1401 for each received free print key information. When the check box 1401 of the student who wants to reissue the free print key is checked and the press of the reissue button 1402 is accepted, the free print key is reissued. If the free print key is not used yet, the check box 1401 can be controlled not to be checked.

  In step S310, the administrator terminal 101 determines whether or not the reissue button 1402 provided on the free print key reissue screen 1400 has been pressed. If it is determined that the reissue button 1402 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S311, and if it cannot be determined that the reissue button 1402 has been pressed, the process waits until the reissue button 1402 or the cancel button is pressed.

  In step S <b> 311, the administrator terminal 101 transmits the selected free print key information to the print management server 102.

  In step S312, the print management server 102 acquires the free print key information transmitted from the administrator terminal 101, and in step S313, the used 1209 of the free print key information stored in the free print key table 1200 is set to “ Update to “unused” (free printing key reissue means). This completes the reissue. When the reissue is completed, the free print key reissue process is terminated.

  Next, a series of processing procedures for printing using the free print key executed by the image processing apparatus 103 and the print management server 102 will be described. 15 and 16 are flowcharts showing an example of a series of processing procedures for printing using the free print key by the image processing apparatus 103 and the print management server 102 shown in FIG. A program for executing this process is stored in the external memory 211 or the HDD 304. When an execution request for this process is received, the program is read into the ROM 202 or the ROM 303, the program is started, and the process is performed according to control by the program. Will be executed.

  In this series of processing, when a free print key is used when printing is performed in the image processing apparatus 103, a temporary print key is used, or a temporary print key is used, the free print key is used from the print history. The case where it cancels | releases etc. is demonstrated.

  In step S401, the image processing apparatus 103 accepts a login from a student. The login method is not particularly limited.

  In step S <b> 402, the print management server 102 acquires a log-in student print job list, and in step S <b> 403 transmits the acquired print job list to the image processing apparatus 103.

  In step S404, the image processing apparatus 103 receives the transmitted print job list. In step S405, the image processing apparatus 103 displays a print job selection screen 1700 (see FIG. 17) and accepts input from the student (print format accepting unit). The print job selection screen 1700 displays a received print job list and includes a print button 1701, a free print button 1702, a print history button 1703, and a logout button 1704.

  In step S406, the image processing apparatus 103 determines whether the print button 1701 has been pressed. If it is determined that the print button 1701 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S407. If it cannot be determined that the print button 1701 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S407, since the print button 1701 has been pressed, the image processing apparatus 103 acquires the selected print job from the print management server 102, outputs it to paper (normal printing), and determines the number of printed sheets. It is transmitted to the print management server 102. In this embodiment, the image processing apparatus 103 counts the number of printed sheets and transmits the counted number to the print management server 102. However, the print management server 102 may count the number of sheets from the print job. The method for counting the number of printed sheets is not limited to this.

  In step S408, the print management server 102 accumulates the printed number 614 of the student who has printed based on the received number of printed sheets, and returns the process to step S405. The processing in steps S407 and S408 is an operation during normal printing.

  In step S409, the image processing apparatus 103 determines whether the free print button 1702 is pressed. If it is determined that the free print button 1702 has been pressed, a request is made to the print management server 102 to obtain free print key information (free print key request means), and the process proceeds to step S410. If it cannot be determined that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S417.

  In step S410, the print management server 102 acquires the free print key information issued to the logged-in student. Specifically, the student number 1202 of the free print key table 1200 matches the student number 611 of the student who is logged in, and the current date and time is within the expiration date that fits from the start date 1207 to the end date 1208. Furthermore, free print key information in which the used 1209 is “unused” is acquired.

  In step S411, the print management server 102 transmits the acquired free print key information to the image processing apparatus 103 (free print key transmission unit).

  In step S412, the image processing apparatus 103 receives the free print key information transmitted from the print management server 102 (free print key receiving means), displays the free print key selection screen 1800 (see FIG. 18), and receives the student's information. Accepts input. The free print key selection screen 1800 displays the received free print key information, and includes a print button 1801, a temporary print key button 1802, and a cancel button 1803.

  In step S413, the image processing apparatus 103 determines whether a free print key has been selected and the print button 1801 provided on the free print key selection screen 1800 has been pressed. If it is determined that the free print key has been selected and the print button 1801 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S414. If the free print key has been selected and it cannot be determined that the print button 1801 has been pressed, step S414 is performed. The process proceeds to S418.

  In step S414, the image processing apparatus 103 acquires the selected print job from the print management server 102, and performs output (free printing) (free printing execution unit). In step S415, the selected free print key information is transmitted to the print management server 102 (free print notification means).

  In step S416, the print management server 102 receives the free print key information transmitted from the image processing apparatus 103. In step S417, the print management server 102 satisfies whether or not the usable number 1203 of the free print key information in the free print key table 1200 is satisfied. In addition, it is confirmed or determined whether printing exceeding the usable number of sheets 1204 has been performed. As a result of the confirmation, in step S418, when the usable count 1203 is satisfied, the used 1209 is updated to “used”. Further, if printing exceeding the usable number of sheets 1204 is performed, the number of sheets exceeding the number of usable sheets is added to the number of printed sheets 614 of the student (printed number updating unit). Thus, the free print key information can be used when the condition is satisfied. When the update of the free print key table 1200 is completed, the process returns to step S405.

  In step S419, the image processing apparatus 103 determines whether the temporary print key button 1802 provided in the free print key selection screen 1800 has been pressed. If it is determined that the temporary print key button 1802 has been pressed, a request is made to the print management server 102 to obtain a temporary print key (temporary print key requesting means), and the process proceeds to step S420, where the temporary print key button is acquired. If it is not possible to determine that 1802 has been pressed, or if it is determined that the cancel button 1803 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S429 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 420, the print management server 102 acquires temporary print key information of a student who has logged into the image processing apparatus 103 from the temporary print key table 1210. Specifically, referring to the student number 1213 of the temporary print key table 1210, the temporary print key information that matches the student number 611 of the student, the current date and time is from the start date 1218 to the end date 1219. , And used 1220 is “unused” and released 1221 is “unreleased”. In step S421, the acquired temporary printing key information is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 103 (temporary printing key transmitting means).

  In step S422, the image processing apparatus 103 receives the temporary print key information transmitted from the print management server 102 (temporary print key receiving unit), and based on the received temporary print key information, the temporary print key selection screen 1900 (FIG. 19) and accepts a selection from the user. When a temporary print key to be used is selected by the user and the print button 1901 is pressed, in step S423, a temporary print key confirmation screen 2000 (see FIG. 20) is displayed, and input from the user is accepted. The temporary print key confirmation screen 2000 displays the expiration date for which the temporary print key can be used from the temporary print key information. Specifically, the end date 1219 of the temporary print key information is displayed. When the print button 2001 is pressed, in step S424, a print job is acquired from the print management server 102, printing is performed (temporary printing), and the number of printed sheets is counted (temporary printing execution unit). In step S425, the used temporary print key information and the number of printed pages are transmitted to the print management server 102 (temporary print notification means).

  In step S426, the print management server 102 receives the temporary print key information and the number of printed sheets transmitted from the image processing apparatus 103. In step S427, the print management server 102 updates the temporary print key table 1210. Specifically, the usable count 1214 is confirmed in the same manner as in step S417 described above, and when the usable count 1214 is satisfied, the used 1220 is updated to “used”. In step S428, since printing is completed, the number of prints is temporarily accumulated. Specifically, the received number of prints is added to the number of prints 614 in the student information table 610. As described above, the temporary print key is a key that allows the free print key to be used when approval is given by the professor and subtracts the number of printed sheets from the print history. Therefore, in step S428, the number of printed sheets is temporarily accumulated. When step S428 is completed, the process returns to step S405.

  Next, the description will be moved to FIG. When step S413 or step S419 ends, in step S429, the image processing apparatus 103 determines whether the print history button 1703 provided in the print job selection screen 1700 has been pressed. If it is determined that the print history button 1703 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S430. If it cannot be determined that the print history button 1703 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S448.

  In step S430, the print management server 102 acquires the print history of the logged-in student. The print history is managed by the print management server 102. The print job name of the output print job, whether or not the temporary print key is used, and which temporary print key is used when the temporary print key is used Is acquired, and the print history of the logged-in student is acquired from the print history. In step S431, the acquired print history and temporary print key information corresponding to the print history are transmitted to the image processing apparatus 103.

  In step S432, the image processing apparatus 103 receives the print history and temporary print key information transmitted from the print management server 102. In step S433, the print history screen 2100 (based on the received print history and temporary print key information). 21 (see FIG. 21) is displayed (print history display means), and selection from the user is accepted (print history selection acceptance means). A print job displayed as “used” on the temporary print key selection button 2101 provided in the print history screen 2100 is a print job output using the temporary print key. When the pressing of the temporary print key selection button 2101 is accepted, the selected temporary print key information is transmitted to the print management server 102 in step S434.

  In step S435, the print management server 102 receives the temporary print key information transmitted from the image processing apparatus 103. In step S436, whether the received temporary print key information has expired (is within the valid period). It is determined whether or not (expiration date determination means). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the end date 1219 of the temporary printing key information is exceeded. That is, if the end date 1219 of the temporary print key information is exceeded, it can be said that the time limit for subtracting the accumulated number of prints has passed. If it is determined that the received temporary print key information has not expired (within the valid period), the process proceeds to step S438, and the received temporary print key information has expired (expired). If so, the process advances to step S437.

  In step S437, the image processing apparatus 103 displays an expiration date screen 2200 (see FIG. 22) since the expiration date of the temporary printing key information has expired. In this way, the user is notified that the temporary printing key has expired.

  In step S438, the print management server 102 determines whether or not the free print key corresponding to the temporary print key information can be used (free print key use determination unit). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the approval 1216 of the temporary printing key information is “approval”. In this embodiment, the free print key can be used upon approval by the professor. Specifically, the professor first receives a report from the student. The professor confirms that there is no problem in the report, and if there is no problem, changes the temporary print key information approval 1216 of the student to “approval”. As a change method, the change may be accepted by the data registration / query in step S104 described above, or another method may be used. The method of approval is not limited to this. By doing so, it is possible to prevent abuse of the free printing key by the student for non-purpose use. When it is determined that the free print key corresponding to the temporary print key information is usable, the process proceeds to step S440, and when it is determined that the free print key corresponding to the temporary print key information is not usable. Advances the process to step S439.

  In step S439, the image processing apparatus 103 displays an unapproved screen 2300 (see FIG. 23) and notifies that the temporary print key has not yet been approved by the professor.

  In step S440, the print management server 102 acquires free print key information including the free print key 1201 corresponding to the free print key 1212 of the temporary print key information, and transmits the free print key information to the image processing apparatus 103.

  In step S441, the image processing apparatus 103 receives the free print key information transmitted from the print management server 102. In step S442, the temporary print key release screen 2400 (see FIG. 24) based on the received free print key information. And accepting an operation from the user.

  In step S443, when the execution button 2401 is pressed, the image processing apparatus 103 transmits the free print key information selected by the user to the print management server 102 among the displayed free print key information.

  In step S444, the print management server 102 receives the free print key information transmitted from the image processing apparatus 103, and sets the used 1209 of the received free print key information stored in the free print key table 1200 to “used”. Change to

  In step S445, the print management server 102 changes the used 1220 of the temporary print key information in the temporary print key table 1210 to “used” and changes the released 1221 to “released”.

  In step S447, since the free print key is used, the image processing apparatus 103 subtracts the number stored in the usable number 1204 of the free print key information from the number of printed sheets 614 (print number subtracting means). In this way, only those approved by the professor can be subtracted later. When step S447 ends, the process returns to step S405.

  In step S448, the image processing apparatus 103 determines whether a logout button 1704 provided in the print job selection screen 1700 has been pressed. If it is determined that the logout button 1704 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S449. If it is not determined that the logout button 1704 has been pressed, the process returns to step S405.

  In step S449, the image processing apparatus 103 logs out from the image processing apparatus 103 because the logout button 1704 has been pressed. The logout method is not particularly limited. When the process of step S449 is completed, the series of processes ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the number of printed sheets can be flexibly managed with respect to the official printed matter, the number of printed sheets of the official document is not accumulated, and only the private document. There is an effect that the number of printed sheets can be accumulated and no unnecessary charge is made.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a method, a program, a recording medium, or the like.

  The program according to the present invention is a program that allows a computer to execute (read) each processing method, and the recording medium according to the present invention stores a program that allows the computer to execute each processing method.

  The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each device.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by performing reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.

  Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Print management system 101 Administrator terminal 102 Print management server 103 Image processing apparatus 104 User terminal 105 LAN

Claims (15)

A print management system in which a print management server for managing a print job and an image processing apparatus capable of acquiring and printing the print job are communicably connected,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Performing free printing indicating printing using a free print key for preventing the number of prints from being accumulated with respect to the number of prints accumulated for each user, or printing without using the free print key, Print format accepting means for accepting selection of whether to perform normal printing indicating printing for integrating the number of prints;
A free print key requesting unit for requesting the print management server to obtain a free print key issued to the user when free printing is selected by the print format accepting unit;
Free print key receiving means for receiving the free print key transmitted from the print management server by the free print key transmitting means from the print management server;
Free print execution means for executing printing of a print job selected by the user using the free print key selected by the user among the free print keys received by the free print key receiving means;
A free print notification means for notifying the print management server when free printing is executed by the free print execution means;
The print management server
Storage means for storing the free print key and the number of prints in association with each user;
A free print key transmitting means for acquiring the user's free print key from the storage means and transmitting it to the image processing apparatus when requested by the free print key request means;
When the notification is received by the free print notification unit, a print number update unit that does not add up the print number of prints executed by the print execution unit with respect to the print number stored in the storage unit;
A print management system comprising: The storage means further stores a temporary print key corresponding to the free print key, the temporary print key enabling use of the free print key corresponding to the approval,
The printing format receiving means further includes a format for executing temporary printing indicating printing using the temporary printing key,
The image processing apparatus includes:
A provisional print key requesting means for requesting to obtain a provisional print key issued to a user from the print management server when provisional printing is selected by the print format acceptance means;
Temporary print key receiving means for receiving the temporary print key transmitted from the print management server by the temporary print key transmitting means from the print management server;
Temporary printing execution means for executing printing of a print job selected by the user using the temporary printing key selected by the user among the temporary printing keys received by the temporary printing key receiving means;
Provisional printing notification means for notifying the print management server when provisional printing is executed by the provisional printing execution means,
The print management server
A temporary printing key transmission unit that acquires the temporary printing key of the user from the storage unit and transmits the temporary printing key to the image processing apparatus when requested by the temporary printing key request unit;
The print number update means, when receiving the notification by the temporary print notification means, adds the number of prints executed by the print execution means to the number of prints stored in the storage means. The print management system according to claim 1. The image processing apparatus includes:
Print history display means for displaying a print job for which temporary printing has been executed by the temporary printing execution means;
Print history selection receiving means for receiving a selection of a print job using the free print key corresponding to the temporary print key in order to subtract the number of prints from among the print jobs displayed by the print history display means. ,
The print management server
Printing for acquiring a free print key corresponding to the temporary print key of the print job whose selection has been received by the print history selection receiving unit from the storage unit, and subtracting the number of prints of the user by using the free print key The print management system according to claim 2, further comprising a number subtraction unit. The print management server
An expiration date determining means for determining whether the temporary printing key is within the expiration date;
When it is determined by the expiration date determining means that the expiration date has expired, a notification that the expiration date has expired is notified, and when it is determined that the expiration date is within the expiration date, the printing number subtraction means is executed. The print management system according to claim 3, wherein: The print management server
A free print key availability determination unit that determines whether or not a free print key corresponding to the temporary print key can be used by approval;
If the free printing key availability determination means determines that the free printing key corresponding to the temporary printing key is not usable due to approval, the temporary printing key is notified that the free printing key has not been approved. 5. The print management system according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the free print key corresponding to is enabled by the approval, the print number subtraction unit is executed. The print management server
In accordance with an instruction from the user, a free print key issuing unit that issues the free print key and stores it in the storage unit in association with the user;
A temporary printing key issuance determination unit for determining whether or not to issue a temporary printing key of the free printing key issued by the free printing key issuing unit;
When the temporary printing key issuance determining unit determines that the temporary printing key is required to be issued, the temporary printing key is issued and stored in the storage unit in association with the free printing key. 6. The print management system according to claim 2, further comprising a key issuing unit. The print management server
The free printing key reissuing means for reissuing a used free printing key among the free printing keys stored in the storage means is further provided. Print management system.   When normal printing is selected by the print format acceptance unit, the print job of the user is acquired from the print management server, printing is performed, and the number of printed pages is accumulated in the storage unit. The print management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The print management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the free print key is a free print key corresponding to a problem that the user takes.   The print management system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the free print key is issued only for tasks attended in a class attended by the user. A free printing key for preventing the number of printed sheets from being accumulated with respect to the number of printed sheets for each user, and storage means for storing the number of printed sheets in association with each user for managing print jobs. A control method of a print management system in which a print management server and an image processing apparatus capable of acquiring and printing the print job are communicably connected,
Printing that accepts selection of whether the print format accepting unit of the image processing apparatus executes the free printing or the normal printing indicating the printing that does not use the free printing key and that accumulates the number of prints. Format acceptance step,
Free print key requesting means of the image processing device requests free print key issued to the user from the print management server when free print is selected in the print format receiving step. A key request step;
When the free print key transmitting unit of the print management server is requested by the free print key requesting step, the free print key that acquires the user's free print key from the storage unit and transmits it to the image processing apparatus Sending step;
A free print key receiving means for receiving, from the print management server, a free print key transmitted from the print management server by a free print key transmitting step in a free print key receiving unit;
The free print execution means of the image processing apparatus prints the print job selected by the user using the free print key selected by the user among the free print keys received by the free print key receiving step. A free print execution step to be executed; and
A free print notifying step of notifying the print management server when the free print notifying means of the image processing apparatus executes the free print in the free print executing step;
When the print number update means of the print management server receives the notification in the free print notification step, the print number of the print executed in the print execution step is added to the print number stored in the storage means. No print count update step,
A method for controlling a print management system, comprising: A free printing key for preventing the number of printed sheets from being accumulated with respect to the number of printed sheets for each user, and storage means for storing the number of printed sheets in association with each user for managing print jobs. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute a control method of a print management system in which a print management server and an image processing apparatus capable of acquiring and printing the print job are communicably connected. And
The image processing apparatus;
Performing free printing indicating printing using a free print key for preventing the number of prints from being accumulated with respect to the number of prints accumulated for each user, or printing without using the free print key, Print format accepting means for accepting selection of whether to perform normal printing indicating printing for integrating the number of prints;
A free print key requesting unit for requesting the print management server to obtain a free print key issued to the user when free printing is selected by the print format accepting unit;
Free print key receiving means for receiving the free print key transmitted from the print management server by the free print key transmitting means from the print management server;
Free print execution means for executing printing of a print job selected by the user using the free print key selected by the user among the free print keys received by the free print key receiving means;
When free printing is executed by the free printing execution means, it functions as free printing notification means for notifying the print management server,
The print management server;
Storage means for storing the free print key and the number of prints in association with each user;
A free print key transmitting means for acquiring the user's free print key from the storage means and transmitting it to the image processing apparatus when requested by the free print key request means;
When the notification is received by the free print notifying unit, it functions as a print number updating unit that does not add up the number of prints executed by the print execution unit with respect to the number of prints stored in the storage unit. Program. Performing free printing indicating printing using a free print key for preventing the number of prints from being accumulated with respect to the number of prints accumulated for each user, or printing without using the free print key, A print format accepting unit that accepts selection of whether or not to perform normal printing indicating printing that adds up the number of prints, and when free printing is selected by the print format accepting unit, a free print key issued to the user Free print key requesting means for requesting acquisition from the print management server, free print key receiving means for receiving the free print key transmitted from the print management server by the free print key transmitting means, and the free print key Of the free print keys received by the receiving means, the user can use the free print key selected by the user. An image processing apparatus comprising: free print execution means for printing a print job selected from the user; and free print notification means for notifying a print management server when free printing is executed by the free print execution means A print management server connected to be communicable with
Storage means for storing the free print key and the number of prints in association with each user;
A free print key transmitting means for acquiring the user's free print key from the storage means and transmitting it to the image processing apparatus when requested by the free print key request means;
When the notification is received by the free print notification unit, a print number update unit that does not add up the print number of prints executed by the print execution unit with respect to the print number stored in the storage unit;
A print management server comprising: Performing free printing indicating printing using a free print key for preventing the number of prints from being accumulated with respect to the number of prints accumulated for each user, or printing without using the free print key, A print format accepting unit that accepts selection of whether or not to perform normal printing indicating printing that adds up the number of prints, and when free printing is selected by the print format accepting unit, a free print key issued to the user Free print key requesting means for requesting acquisition from the print management server, free print key receiving means for receiving the free print key transmitted from the print management server by the free print key transmitting means, and the free print key Of the free print keys received by the receiving means, the user can use the free print key selected by the user. An image processing apparatus comprising: free print execution means for printing a print job selected from the user; and free print notification means for notifying a print management server when free printing is executed by the free print execution means And a control method of a print management server including a storage unit that is connected to be communicable and stores the free print key and the number of prints in association with each other,
When the free print key transmission means of the print management server is requested by the free print key request means, the free print key acquires the user's free print key from the storage means and transmits it to the image processing apparatus Sending step;
When the print number update unit of the print management server receives the notification by the free print notification unit, the print number of prints executed by the print execution unit is added to the print number stored in the storage unit. No print count update step,
A control method for a print management server, comprising: Performing free printing indicating printing using a free print key for preventing the number of prints from being accumulated with respect to the number of prints accumulated for each user, or printing without using the free print key, A print format accepting unit that accepts selection of whether or not to perform normal printing indicating printing that adds up the number of prints, and when free printing is selected by the print format accepting unit, a free print key issued to the user Free print key requesting means for requesting acquisition from the print management server, free print key receiving means for receiving the free print key transmitted from the print management server by the free print key transmitting means, and the free print key Of the free print keys received by the receiving means, the user can use the free print key selected by the user. An image processing apparatus comprising: free print execution means for printing a print job selected from the user; and free print notification means for notifying a print management server when free printing is executed by the free print execution means A computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute a control method of a print management server that is connected to be communicable with each other and includes a storage unit that stores the free print key and the number of prints in association with each other. Because
The print management server;
A free print key transmitting means for acquiring the user's free print key from the storage means and transmitting it to the image processing apparatus when requested by the free print key request means;
When the notification is received by the free print notifying unit, it functions as a print number updating unit that does not add up the number of prints executed by the print execution unit with respect to the number of prints stored in the storage unit. Program.

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